Argentina Government to fund hundreds of hours of TV Content

by Lauren Pringle, contributing blogger

Funding for television content in Argentina has always been a challenge: the few private broadcasters that commission do so mainly in house or with associated production companies.  This has kept independent producers out of the market, and limited the quantity of hours produced. A new initiative has been created by the INCAA (Argentine Film Board, responsible for financing most films made in Argentina) that will encourage the growth of independent film and documentaries by finding them homes on public and private television.

The INCAA will fund hundreds of hours of new television series, allowing smaller production companies, who have previously focused on films, to enter the market.

The initiative will offer coverage and exposure for independent film makers to develop and encourage new talent across Argentina, as well as creating much more television content, ranging from “telenovelas” with social themes to dramas, comedies and factual series.

To quote Charles Newberry from The Variety he explains how “The initiative came from a state initiative to finance indie programs to fill the slates of Pubcasters –and eventually a state DTT network – spawning the production of 220 series in 2011; an estimated 300 are in the pipeline for this year”. With exciting statistics the prospect of film here in Argentina looks hopeful.

Telenovela writer Jorge Maestro wholly supports the idea says “This is the road we need to take to develop talent.” Gonzalo Ferrari Nicolay is an example of some exciting new talent discovered by the program. To quote Charles Newberry “After a change of career, he got his big break as a producer when he won a DTT commission for historical documentary “The Broken Wing: The Life of Jorge Newbery” a famous Argentine aviator (and namesake of the BsAs domestic airport). The project had been pitched to various big wigs but no-one took an interest. With state financing, the documentary was aired this year.

Television viewers have also enjoyed a boom in new series: whereas many broadcasters have offered mainly magazine and news content (with a lot of gossip and pretty girls mixed in) this year these same broadcasters are now showing original factual and fiction programming. “Canal 9″, which offered no original fiction programming for almost five years, now offers fictional series of high quality that were funded by the INCAA.  The goal is that this content and/or the formats can be exported overseas (Argentina has traditionally exported children´s and telenovela formats).

Foreign producers should note that there are also opportunities for funding of international co-productions. At San Telmo Productions, we are working on developing narrative content to present in the upcoming calls for projects.

Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118048625?refcatid=14

Additional details:

Update on Goals for Girls! Documentary about Women’s soccer in Argentina

by Amy Ramirez, contributing blogger

Originally a documentary about a group of girls in Villa 31 shantytown, Goals for Girls has evolved to incorporate the point of view of women from all walks of life that play soccer either for fun or professionally.

Interviews with journalists, scientists, and people in the world of women’s soccer have led to a fuller understanding on the limitations, restrictions, and cultural norms surrounding women playing soccer in Argentina. One of the interesting things we learned is that since the beginning of our making the documentary in 2008, there has been an increase of women playing soccer for fun. Unfortunately since then, more and more funding has been taken away from professional women teams. No women soccer team has played in the Boca stadium in over 10 years!

Interviews include: the national Boca Juniors women’s team, the indoor soccer team “Ondas del Amor,” the women’s team “Fuerte Apache” (located in town Carlos Tevez’s hometown), and the “Futbol a lo Feminino” team who insist on staying pretty in pink shirts while playing.

Also interviews with: Notable journalist Victor Hugo, sport’s journalist Gaston Recondo, and Canal 13’s Guillermo Bocci.

One of the things we make sure to ask people during the course of the interview is why they think women are prevented from playing soccer, and the first to be blamed is “machismo” and men. But when we ask who exactly prevents them from playing, the girls tend to say that their mothers, aunts, sisters either prohibit them from playing or make comments. Many women prefer to see their daughters, nieces, and sisters working on house chores and taking care of their younger siblings than wasting their time running around like a boy and getting hurt in the process. Victor Hugo confirmed this tendency summing it all up: “women are the true enforcers of machismo.” This is not to say that all girls say their fathers were supportive: some were (especially fathers who lacked sons) and others saw it as “cute” or “funny” that they played soccer, but also a lot of girls reported that no one in their family would watch them play.

These past couple of months has taught us a lot and we look forward to wrapping up the filming process in December to have the 70-minute HD film ready by spring 2012!

For more info please visit the Goals for Girls website http://goalsforgirlsthemovie.org/

Bringing Film and Video Equipment into Argentina

If you are planning on shooting a movie, TV program, photo shoot or documentary in Argentina you are probably considering bringing in your own video, film or photo equipment.

Maybe it is just a Sony EX cam, or a red, or a light kit–you already own it, so why not bring it? But then you find out that Argentina is not a Carnet country. . .

If you are planning on bringing in equipment (even small amounts!) these are the procedures to follow:

1) Have your local production company in Argentina (or fixer) send a letter to get a temporary work visa for every crew member, or at the very least those who are bringing in equipment. The production company or fixer must be registered with the RENURE (registry of companies that work with foreigners). These letters have a minimal cost and you will then use them to get a temporary work visa in your country of origin.

2) You will need to work with a customs broker to obtain temporary import insurance. This insurance ensures that if you don’t leave the countrywith your equipment (the government is scared that you will sell it in Argentina) the insurance company will pay all fines. This cost of this insurance is based on the declared cost of your equipment. It is not refundable if you do leave with all of your equipment.

3) Work with your local production company in Argentina to determine if it is more cost effecient to rent in Argentina or pay the temporary import insurance.

IF IMPORTING CONTAINERS OF EQUIPMENT, THE PROCESS IS A BIT DIFFERENT. . .

At San Telmo Productions, we can help you obtain letters for work visas as we are registered with RENURE and walk you through the import process.  We want to make your experience in Argentina as pleasant as possible and get you in and out of customs as quickly as possible.

Review: La Mala Verdad

by Lauren Pringle, contributing blogger

La Mala Verdad, directed by Miguel Angel Rocca is a stylized piece of classic Argentine Cinema. Featuring a star studded cast and boasting great reviews from worldwide film festivals, follows the journey of a pubescent girl Barbara and her difficulty to come to terms with the hidden struggles of her private family life. With the help of a social worker who is played powerfully by Malena Solda, the investigation into Barbara’s life at home becomes clear and the strange relationship with her seemingly loving grandfather is piece by piece chipped away to reveal a dark and devilish truth. Speckled with light elements of fantasy, Barbara finds escapism with her best friend and the fantasy novel Kon Tiki. Norman Brinski adds a fantastic touch of light humour in the midst of such darkness and portrays the loving uncle of Barbara.

An aesthetically beautiful and delicate film peppered with long pauses, melancholic classical music, the use of location and lighting offers a quaint yet dark edge to the film. The acting throughout is nothing short of brilliant and the costume and set design is idyllic and authentic.  A simple yet evocative story, Rocca certainly knows how to create suspense and tension. The sinister role of an abusive grandfather is executed flawlessly by Alberto de Mendoza who tragically died before the film premiered. His chilling performance is striking taking the spectator on a journey to discover the dark cynicism of his cold blooded character.

A tense and perhaps difficult one to watch, La Mala Verdad is a fine example of Argentine Cinema. Definitely recommendable for those who want to indulge in some quality acting and pay homage to the incredible talent that was Alberto de Mendoza.

How to Find a Local Production Fixer in Argentina

Happy US Crew (HGTV) and San Telmo's Gabriel Balanovsky, local production fixer

by Ginger Gentile and Amy Ramirez (contributing blogger)

You’ve gotten the green light from the executive producer or the funding needed to start shooting in Argentina. But you’ve never been, speak very basic Spanish and have a tight schedule and an even a tighter budget.

So finding a local production fixer (aka local production coordinator) who works fast and can get stuff done is important.

How do you find the right one?

Here are the questions I would ask:

1)       Does the fixer have a combination of local know-how and international experience?
A lot of expats are offering themselves as production fixers but some of them have very little  experience filming in Argentina and their accents might mean that they will be offered higher prices than locals.

2)       Does everything seem too cheap or too expensive?

When you ask for a budget, most of the time you are on the look-out for being overcharged. Argentina isn’t as cheap as it was a few years ago, but it should be less expensive than shooting in the US or Europe. But also beware of budgets that seem too good to be true. Plan to spend between $200 to $400 USD per day for a fixer who is reputable (more money for short shoots and complicated shoots), not including transport and costs. Hiring a film student for much less is possible, but then you might not get all the material you need.

       3) Does your local fixer say “no” to some of your requests?

Beware the fixer who says yes to everything. In Argentina it is culturally acceptable to say that things are possible when they are not. Some locations and interviews are impossible or cost a lot of money. Better to have a plan B or change the schedule BEFORE you get down to Argentina.

       4) Does your fixer offer you ways to save money?

Argentina is not the US or Europe, and sometimes you can save money by spending more upfront.

A good example: it’s actually cheaper to hire a chauffeur than to have a frazzled PA driving  a rented van–the van will have to be rented (few people in Buenos Aires have cars, and most are very small), parked, and driven through crazy traffic. For about the same price as renting a van, get one with a driver and don’t worry about parking and traffic.

Remember, a good local fixer is more than just someone who gets film permits and translates. They can help get what you need and negotiate between different cultures. In Argentina, people are very reluctant to sign appearance releases, but a good fixer will know how to get them to sign, and turn a “no” into a “yes” and suggest ideas, locations and know where to get equipment at midnight.

At San Telmo Productions, we have acted as local fixer (field production coordinator) for crews from the US, Australia, Canada, UK and Europe who come to Argentina to shoot TV shows and documentaries. We love showing the world that Argentina is not only a beautiful country, but a great place to film.

For Halloween: Spooky Film Location – A Town killed by Floods

by Amy Ramirez, Contributing Blogger

What can be creepier than an abandoned haunted house? You got it, an abandoned city. About four hours west of Buenos Aires lays an entire city submerged in water due to a major flood in 1985. The tops of light posts, roofs, emerge like industrial ghosts from a sleepy lake. Before the flood, Villa Epecuén salty lake was a tourist attraction. Now its spooky setting is the perfect location for your next horror film or dream sequence.

Remnants of the disaster have caused the natural and man-made landscapes to mold together and transform Villa Epecuén into a place like none other in the world. Whether it be a post-apocalyptic world, a sci-fi thriller, or a city in the shambles of war, Villa Epecuén can be the location for a variety of eerie places.  Three Argentine films have used this location, who will be the first foreign production to do so?

abandoned slaughter house

If you are interested in this or any other location we feature, contact San Telmo Productions to get a quote for your next film or TV production in Argentina.

Over the past couple of years, Argentina has been seeing the horror film industry rise. From Daniel de la Vega’s Jennifer’s Shadow to Demián Rugna’s The Last Getaway, young directors are starting to make bigger productions with more international weight.  The most successful of this homegrown horror industry has been Sudor Frio (Cold Sweat) which was released in the US, and the film involves it involves crazy terrorists, bare breasts and a generous slathering of nitro-glycerine.

Happy Halloween! (And if you’re wondering, it is not celebrated in Argentina, nor do they do day of dead stuff).

Stairway to nowhere

Location Double: Argentina’s Medieval Castle Double

by Amy Ramirez, contributing blogger

Who would have thought that a town lost in the suburbs of Buenos Aires could be used as a location double for everything from middle age castles to pirate ports? Quilmes, the staple of Argentine beer, used the town to re-create a pirate port and a Transylvanian castle for the most recent commercial titled, “Historia de la Amistad” which celebrates friendship throughout the ages.

About 30 miles from the center of Buenos Aires lies this quaint medieval replica made entirely from recycled materials. Campanopolis, named after its creator Antonio Campana, contains hundreds of buildings complete with narrow streets, fountains, lakes, footbridges, and even a Dutch windmill!

A mixture between Tim Burton and Disney World, Campanopolis is the perfect location for those looking for a dark and enchanting place that captures the nostalgic allure of childhood fairy tales.

If you want to film in Campanopolis, you will need to contract a local production company to obtain the location permits and legally required insurance coverage. San Telmo Productions is used to helping filmmakers and TV producers from all over the world have great shoots in Argentina.

Review: El Estudiante (The Student)

by Lucy in Baires, contributing blogger

The Student is Roque Espinosa (played by Esteban Lamothe), a young guy from the countryside that comes to Buenos Aires to pursue university studies for the third time. It is not long until he realises that nothing interests him. He shows no vocation and wanders the crowded university halls to make friends and meet girls. One of them, Paula, an associate professor, introduces him to the hotbed of University politics.

The turning point is when he meets Alberto Acevedo, an old retired politician. Next to him, Roque learns politics codes and works with and behind students’ leaders. He feels he’s finally found his calling but not everything is what it seems.

Santiago Mitre, a young promising director, only 30, wrote and directed El Estudiante. It is not his ‘opera prima’ but his name is known for being one of the four directors of El Amor (2004) and one of the co-screenwriters behind Trapero’s movies such as Leonera and Carancho (2010).

The film gives the viewer a facinating look at University politics, which while very insular, has captivated audiences all over the world, including the Special Jury Prize at BAFICI, ADF Prize for Best Photography, FEISAL (Argentine film critics) prize and it is not over yet, as it appeared in the 2011 Locarno International Film Festival and Toronto.

Mitre asked for INCAA (the Argentine Film Board) for funding and was denied hence he had to modify the strategy of shooting unable to afford the costs of reproducing the overcrowded university’s environments. The irony turns up: while the film is entirely fictional and a convincing cast of young actors follow the script, the movie was filmed in the halls of the Faculty of Social Sciences with real students and the Students Centre’s help.

It´s not as sexist as you think

One of the most pervasive stereotypes about Argentina is that it is a very “machista” or sexist culture. I think a more appropriate adjective would be “sexualized” culture. There is no puritan guilt attatched to thinking about sex, talking about sex, or even having sex! Women are expected to dress sexy and men are expected to make comments on said women´s bodies. But, does this put women at a disadvantage in the business world?
I don´t think so.
In film and tv, it is common to see female set electricians doing all the heavy lifting and wiring that their male counterparts do (and I´ve been told that they even get work more easily than some men, because “it´s cool” to have a female electrician). Almost half of all film and tv jobs are filled by women, and I´ve never come across problems when I had to give orders to male crew members as a director.
At a TV production company where I worked as a screenwriter, the ex-owner/founder famously remarked that he prefers to work only with men, because he finds women to be “hysterical”. One of my bosses sometimes made comments that would get a man sued in the USA. But the actual work environment was quite friendly, half of my co-workers were women and at least 40% of all executives were women.
Appearances can be deceiving!

What is a Fixer? (Hint: it´s not a Handyman)

What does a fixer do?

In the TV business, you will often here the term “local fixer” being tossed around. A local fixer basically arranges interviews, location permits, transport, hotels, meals, EVERYTHING that an out of town crew needs to shoot a story.  Sometimes also referred to as a production coordinator, or local producer, this person needs to know film and have the magic touch to get things done.

Do you need a film permit or permission to film in Argentina?

It depends on the size of your production. If your filming will not disrupt traffic or a sidewalk, the quick answer is no, you can film in Argentina without a permit. So if it is you with a camera and your assistant, you should have no problems. Attitudes towards public space are much more lax than in the US, and at the most you should hire a local fixer or assistant to make sure the camera doesn´t get stolen (a big problem in some parts of Buenos Aires).
But want to move inside to a museum or public building? National pakr? Or a train station? These situations can get tricky very fast. We had to film in a train station and had to get permission from 5 different companies–one owned the platform, the other the food stand, the other the rails, etc.
Film permits are definately needed for any film shoot where you need to block traffic or sidewalks.
Remember, while these permits are not expensive, they can be a nightmare of redtape and multiple government offices. And you will need a local fixer to help you through it.

Want Web Video? Professional Quality is the New Trend Online

(from emarkerer daily) After watching millions of short user-generated video clips on YouTube, are online viewers looking for something, well…better? According to the report “Pro Online Video Views 1998–2012” from AccuStream iMedia Research, they might be. The firm found that professionally produced online video grew nearly 25% last year, accounting for 41.6 billion views.

Film Schools in Argentina

There are 14,000 film students in Argentina, which means that there are probably 13,500 too many. Especially when you consider that the vast majority want to direct. The film industry (which includes the filming of commercials for TV) generates only about 2000 paid posts per year (and keep in mind, that some of these jobs only last for one day). There are over a dozen film schools in Buenos Aires–too many to list here–but I´ll list the top ones with some personal observations for those thinking about going, or looking to hire an alumni. With some exceptions, most are open admissions, accepting on first come, first served basis (and tend not to give scholarships).

Argentina´s Film Union: SICA

If you are planning on filming a movie (for theatrical release or for television) or a commercial, one of the key players you will be dealing with is the film crew union, or SICA (Sindicato de la Industria Cinematográfica). Unlike in other Latin American countries, film crew members are not independent contractors: they need to be contracted with a union approved contract and receive the union´s benefit package (which includes health care, social security, and even discounts on vacations). For commercials, day rates apply but for films, salaries are based on weekly rates.

The union can file law suites against production companies that do not follow their guidelines and prohibit commercial releases in Argentina if union wages are not paid. However, unlike the US, a crew can be made up of union and non-union members, and membership in the union is optional.

One reason many foreign film companies hire local fixers is that if facilitates dealing with the union: as you can see from their website, they don´t speak English!

http://www.sicacine.com.ar/

Film Permits in Buenos Aires

Film permits are necessary in Buenos Aires if you plan on filming with a professional crew that will cause disruption to auto or pedestrian traffic, or if special effects will be used or action happen that can confuse or endanger passersby (for example, an actor uses a gun), or you need to park trucks, use a generator, etc. They are not necessary for a small documentary crew to film in the street, if that crew would cause no more disruption than a typical news crew.

While the process is your normal red-tape, be warned, you need at least 5 business days (and beware of holidays!) to get the first part, which is habitation to work, showing that you have insurance for crew and passersby–this is the hard part, and it is recommended to contract a local fixer or local production company to handle this. Then it is at least another 5 days to get permission for the specific location. And of course, all in Spanish!

The form that you need to fill out:

http://estatico.buenosaires.gov.ar/areas/produccion/industrias/baset/archivos/FGENERAL.pdf

Local Production Fixer Tip: You can save time or money, not both

Argentina offers a wide range of locations and tons of state-of-the art film and video equipment, but for you to take advantage of this in a cost-effective way, the key is giving your local fixer the most time possible. For example, there are tons of Sony Z-1 cameras in the market place and can be rented for a low price (as well as other cameras such as the Sony XDcam, Red 1, etc) BUT as there are so many productions going on they need to be secured well in advance to get a good price.

By extention, the same goes for setting up interviews. Argentines put a lot of empahsis on personal connections and contacts. If the local fixer can visit the interviewee a few times before the shoot, build trust and talk about the project, the subject will be more willing to participate than someone calling a day before and promising foreign TV exposure.

Video as Fundrasing Tool for NGO (Charities)

As charities and NGOS (non-governmental organizations, aka non-profits) have to kick up their fundraising efforts, many more or turning to video to create an emotional connection between potential donors and the people their donation will help. We have been filming “Slum Girl Soccer” (aka “Goals for Girls”) which follows the struggles of teenage girls to play a sport that is off-limits to them in Argentina: soccer. We have received a grant from the INCAA (Arg. film board) to make a feature film, but in the meantime have been supporting the NGO Soccer Without Borders by making a short video fundraising appeal. Check it out!

And here is the feedback we got from Soccer Without Borders:

“Everyone loved the video tonight.  We were able to show it to a great group of supporters and it got everyone fired up for our fundraising run early next year.

Thanks again for everything that went into making it happen.”–Lisa Milton

Buenos Aires is One Large Film Set, and the Stats confirm it!

If you live in Buenos Aires, you probably come across a film shoot from time to time. But did you know from the beginning of 2010 to the present date over 10 feature films and 168 commercials have been shot on its streets?   Thats a ton! While the number has dropped from the peak in 2006, the number of productions has increased in 2010 compared to 2009.

Productions in the first quarter of each year
	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Feature Films	5	4	12	10	11	10
Commercial	107	179	172	159	106	121
Television	19	26	9	8	6	15
Documentary	3	2	5	4	1	3
Academic	8	13	11	20	7	9
Shorts	0	1	1	1	1	2
Photography	5	17	0	0	0	7
Music Video	4	6	5	2	3	0
Corporate	1	1	3	1	2	1
Total	152	249	218	205	137	168

Commercials have been filmed for the Argentinian, US, French, Polish, and Peruvian markets. Brands include Liberty Insurance, Marlboro, Vodafone, 7 Up and Shell, amongst others.

Thanks to BASET for the stats!

Filming in Argentina is Cost Effective and Versatile

by Tracey Chandler, Contributing Blogger

The famous commercial for Mastcard, entitled “The Bicycle” or “La Bicicleta,” is an example of genius in terms of creativity and construction.

Filmed in part in La Estación Provincial de Trenes de La Plata in Argentina, the masterminds behind the commercial managed to turn the train station into a port, which incidentally happens to be nowhere near an expanse of water of any kind! This effect was achieved by computer animation and chroma screens in location.

Take a look at the commercial below as proof of the fact that the station really does look like a port from the 1940s in Italy….. exactly what Mastercard were looking for when producing the commercial.

nosotros en BAFILM.

It just goes to show you that if you want to make a commercial, Argentina is a great place to film that commercial. Not only is it more affordable, but it is also a country full of incredibly creative, talented and versatile professionals and these professionals can get you anything you need…. even if what you need is to make a 1940s port out of a present day train station. Brilliant!

Contact San Telmo Productions directly for more information on filming commercials and short films in Buenos Aires. We have excellent contacts and lots of experience. Take a look at our website for more information.  http://www.santelmoproductions.com

“The Hooker & the Transvestite 2″ Takes First Place in Filmaka “Hard Times” Contest

For these two working girls, it sucks to be hungry. . .

It took a year to get the results back, but there in. . . a jury made of 12 Hollywood a-listers including Wim Wenders, Werner Herzog and Colin Filth have declared “La Puta y la Transvesti, parte 2″ (The Hooker and the Transvestite 2) the winner of the Filmaka “Hard Times” short film contest.

The first part of the contest received more than 1000 entries, of which 18 advanced to the next round by popular vote and by the other filmmakers. These 18 filmmakers then received 20 days and $1000 dollars to film the second part of the first film (ie, the second episode of a web series).

Now, we along with the other monthly winners will have to produce another short film, and the winner wins the production of a movie!

So if you have three minutes, check out this short which features Argentine film stars Lola Berthet and Luis Machin, as well as theater star Luis Aponte. The 25+ crew featured local legend Director of Photography Jorge Crespo as well as the support of Ajaf Cinema and Ñandu Sonido.

Whether we win the second round or not, we are planning to make this San Telmo Production’s first fiction feature film!

You can watch the short following the link below or on the side bar.

http://www.filmaka.com/watch=film_id=f9714e7a-cb1a-102c-a44a-00301b46cca5

Hollywood Lured to Argentina by Cost, Quality and Nightlife

Over 80 films are made in Argentina each year, most local productions, but now more and more Hollywood studios are lured to Argentina based on costs that can be 25% to 60% lower than similar costs in the US and the high quality of film technicians.

Studio execs “want to know what is going on in Argentina, and how they can make films here,” says Ana Aizenberg, head of the Buenos Aires Film Commission, in a recent Variety article.

Argentina has more than 100 years of film history and in the 30s and 40s was the Hollywood of Latin America. Buenos Aires has many studios and sound stages, and the latest technology.  Argentina has the largest concentration of studios in Latin America, and regularly produces content for export, such as “Wipe-Out” for over 30 countries and “Desperate Housewives” and “High School Musical” for the Latin American Markets.

Argentina also offers a wide variety of landscapes, from grasslands, to desserts to beaches, and a variety of faces: most Argentines are of European descent, and new waves of immigration from China, Japan, Senegal and Russia have made the streets even more diverse.

Technicians are famed for their resourcefulness, honed after many cycles of economic crisis. They are used to resolving problems quickly with little budget, and treat film as an art form.

In the past few years, large budget Hollywood films such as Chris Nahon’s “Blood: The Last Vampire,” James Huth’s “Lucky Luke” and Roland Joffe’s “There Be Dragons” have been filmed in Argentina (with Buenos Aires often filling in for Europe).

An example of possible cost savings can be found with the co-production between Argentina’s Pampa Films and Spain’s Filmax of the “El raton Perez” (The Hair Tooth Fairy) franchise.

The first cost e1.7 million ($2.2 million US Dollars) to make in Argentina, less than half the $5 million to $6.3 million it would have cost in Europe, says Pampa’s Juan Pablo Buscarini, who also directed the family pic.

The model is best for adventure and family movies, he said in a recent variety article. “All of the family films that have gone to New Zealand could have been done in Argentina.”

The cost savings are more notable the higher the quality: a low-budget for Hollywood can be turned into a high-budget film in Argentina.

The other draw are the charming cafes, good restaurants and pulsating night life. Where else can you get a great steak for 10 bucks and enjoy a fine bottle of wine for 15, and flirt with some of the most beautiful people on earth?

Argentina Exports Telenovelas to China and Beyond

Argentina  has long exported Malbec wine and grass-fed beef to the world over, but now it is becoming a leader in exporting Telenovela (soap opera) formats to Latin America, Europe, Israel, and now, China.

Telenovelas are big money, not just because they have great ratings but also because they generate merchandise sales and theater and music spin offs, especially for youth oriented content.

As reported in Variety, Buenos Aires-based Telefe is partnering with Shanghai Media Group to produce “Heartbeats,” about a group of Chinese kids who seek to achieve their dreams through art. “Heartbeats” will be set and shot in China, largely in Shanghai, with oversight by Telefe directors and producers.

Meanwhile, Shanghai-based Idea Asia Media recently optioned for local adaptation Telefe’s mistaken-identity comedy “Los exitosos Pells” (The Successful Pells). Watch the great intro below:

The first 40-episode season is in preproduction, and the second is being written. Telefe closed the deal this month after three years of talks with SMG.

It’s part of the firm’s move to increase sales to Asia after selling its original telenovelas and localized versions of those shows — including revenge drama “Montecristo,” corruption-laden “Resistire” (Forever Julia) and poor-meets-rich comedy “The Roldans” — widely in Europe, Latin America and the U.S.

Praise for San Telmo Productions

Another Happy Client who used San Telmo Productions for complete production services and local production fixer for a series of educational videos:

“We found San Telmo Productions on the Internet and were a bit nervous, because
we’d never filmed in Argentina. They were able to pull together a six
day shoot, 12 actors, multiple locations and everything came out on
budget. We also found that there were a number of delightful extras,
like extra production assistants and private security, so our shoot
went off without a hitch. Ginger Gentile and Gabriel Balanovsky are wonderful. The
footage is spectacular.”

-Jonathan Dariyanani, Independent Producer for K12, Inc.

Hollywood to Remake another Argentina Movie, starring Steve Carrell: Un Novio para mi Mujer

Funny-man Steve Carrell will produce and star in a Hollywood adaption of the Argentine movie Un Novio para Mi Mujer, the daily Variety reported Thursday, to be called “A Boyfriend for my wife”. (Let’s hope that they find a better title, it sounds so much better in Spanish).

“In the original film, Un novio para mi mujer,’ a timid husband believes the only way out of his stifling marriage is to get his wife to fall in love with another man, so he enlists the help of a legendary yet unlikely Lothario,” Variety noted. According to Variety, Carell will produce the film and writers Mark Gibson and Phil Halprin (Snow Dogs) will pen the script.

Directed by Juan Taratuto, it was Argentina’s leading homegrown pic in 2008.

Carrel is perhaps best known for his leading role as the hilariously inappropriate office manager on The Office.

You can watch the original trailer below. It stars Adrian Suar (famous actor and TV producer) and Valeria Bertuccelli. Produced by Buena Vista International and Patagonic.

Cordoba–The Heart of Argentina offers Mountains, rivers and Colonial Architecture–Great location doubles for American West

In Cordoba city, colonial constructions blend with modern industry.

by Amelia Batho, contributing blogger

Argentina has a plethora of interesting landscapes for filming locations and many of these are found in the province of Cordoba, located in the center of the country.

What does Cordoba offer the film maker? A fantastic range of natural and man made backdrops. The physical landscapes are some of the most beautiful in the country and include the undulating Cordoba Sierras (small mountains) and valleys, hosting idyllic salt lakes and streams. Many of the landscapes can double for the American West-think Colorado, Idaho and Montana.

Cordoba-Argentina-filled with rivers, stream and foothills

The vast, fertile grassland of the Humid Pampas can also be found in this province.

The historic city of Cordoba offers outstanding, historic architecture, from churches to convents and colonial-style houses which date as far back as the 16^th century. A notable landmark is the beautiful Cathedral, Manzana Jesuitica (see picture above). It is one of the largest cities in Argentina, home to the oldest university in the country and the historical importance is matched by the industrial strength of the city.

While Cordoba is the heart of Argentina, it is not a popular international tourist destination or filming location–right now it is the center of internal tourism. So if you are lo0king for an undiscovered location but with great infrastructure, Cordoba could be the ideal location for your next film or commercial. And the weather is dry and sunny!

And here are some other locations to think about:

German lifestyle and buildings abound in Villa Belgrano, Cordoba

Villa Belgrano: This small mountain village was settled by German settlers who constructed typical alpine houses. It hosts the annual octoberfest.

Cordoba is literally the heart of Argentina. The capitol is about 6-8 hours drive from Buenos Aires, or 40 minutes by air.

Villa Carlos Paz: a lake surrounded by mountains, is one of the main tourist destinations in summer, empty in winter. If your story is about an amusement park in the mountains, look no further.

Hollywood to Remake Argentina’s Oscar Winner “El Secreto de Sus Ojos”

One of the highest grossing Argentine films of all times and 2010′s Oscar Winner for best foreign language film will be remade by Hollywood.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Billy Ray will write and direct a new version of the Argentinian thriller “The Secret in Their Eyes” for Warner Bros., which is in negotiations to acquire the rights. Director and writer Juan Jose Campanella’s adapted the movie from the novel by Eduardo Sacheri.

“The Secret in Their Eyes”

The original film has grossed $6.3 million dollars in the US since its April release and more than $24 million dollars worldwide, and sold more than 2.4 million tickets in Argentina.  The movie had a budget of $8 million dollars.

Mark Johnson (“Donnie Brasco”) is producing the new version, which Ray will re-set in the United States in present day.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. rarely adapts foreign language films for U.S. audiences, but its version of the Hong Kong thriller “Infernal Affairs” became Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed,” which won the Best Picture Oscar in 2006.

Ray recently co-wrote the 2009 thriller “State of Play” and “Source Code,” which Summit is producing for a 2011 release. He has also written and directed “Shattered Glass” and co-written and directed “Breach.”

Ray is also penning a feature adaptation of the Fox TV series “24″ and a script about the 2009 Somali pirate incident for producer Michael De Luca at Columbia.

John Ufland brought the project to Mark Johnson and Ray and will be the executive producer.

This crime thriller will join a long list of Argentine films remade by Hollywood. Most recently, the romantic comedy “Un Novio por mi Mujer” (A Boyfriend for my Wife) was slated to become a vehicle for Steve Carrell.

Mendoza: Andes Mountains, Vineyards, Sunny Climate and European Elegance make this Film Location Shine

Brad Pitt stared in this movie, filmed in location in Mendoza, Argentina

by Amelia Batho, contributing blogger

The classic Mendoza landscape: Andes looming over vineyards.

Another filming location with bags of potential here in Argentina, is the semi- arid province of Mendoza. Situated on the west side of the country and bordering Chile, this province boasts spectacular views of the snow-capped Andes which include the highest mountain in the Western hemisphere, Cerro Aconcagua. Also famous for its wine making industry, which has attracted hundreds of millions of dollars in US and European capital in the last 10 years, there are plenty of picturesque wineries and vineyards set against the beautiful backdrop of those impressive mountains.

And most importantly, we at San Telmo Productions have been developing contacts with our partners, who have been keeping film equipment (cranes, lights, grips, dollies, cameras) to ensure that most equipment that is needed for a publicity spot or film shoot can be sourced locally, and not brought in from Buenos Aires, further reducing costs. The provincial government is encouraging film productions with new laws and transparency. Also, there are many local film and TV film technicians with experience in foreign productions, making the location less dependent on Buenos Aires.

Mendoza has doubled for the Grand Canyon and American West.

The climate also makes the location very versatile with snow in the Winter months and crisp clear skies in the summer.  Very little rain year round means it is ideal for shoots.  The continental landscape can also double for European countries and the Andes can double for famous worldwide mountain ranges such as the Alps or the Rockies.

For city shots, Mendoza city center offers wide, tree lined avenues and quaint boutiques as well as historical plazas.

In 1997, ‘Seven Years in Tibet’ directed by Jean Jacques Annaud and starring Brad Pitt, was shot in Mendoza. Due to cheaper production costs and a vast amount of location options, they were able to build dozens of sets including a very long recreation of a Tibetan city built into the Andean foothills and an ancient Palace constructed in an abandoned garlic warehouse. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120102/)

Brad Pitt hiking through the "Himalayas" in "Tibet" but filmed entirely in Mendoza.

European style parks are as beautiful in autumn as they are in summer.

Mendoza city in famous for its tree lined streets and European vibe (as well as great food and wine!)

Patagonia Lake District´s Andes Peaks and Forests Favorite of Hollywood

by Amelia Batho, Contributing Blogger

Argentina’s Lake District is another film-making gold mine that has been used twice by director Walter Sales, served as inspiration for Walt Disney and hosts documentary crews on the lookout for wildlife and on the trail of Nazis. The area boasts 600km of fertile valleys and 20 stunning great Lakes all based at the foothills of the Patagonian Andes. The district is located within the oldest national Park in Argentina -  the Nahuel Huapi National Park – whose main town San Carlos de Bariloche, has been named the gateway to the Andean Lake District. Located on the shores of the spectacular Nahuel Huapi lake, and surrounded by lush forests, Bariloche is a town famous for its German style architecture, skiing and stunning scenery (and did we mention sunny weather in summer?). And because it is a tourist center, world class hotels and restaurants abound, and the infrastructure is first rate.

Gael Garcia Bernal and Rodrigo De la Serna star in 'the Motorcyle Diaries', parts of which were shot near the Lake District town of Bariloche.

Even Walt Disney based the forests in Bambi on the unique trees in the area.

Award winning Director, Walter Salles is particularly familiar with this area of Argentina, having shot parts of two major feature films here.

In 2004, he used the area around Bariloche to shoot scenes for his inspiring film ‘the Motorcycle Diaries’ which retells the true story of a young Ernesto Guevarra and his journey around South America. In fact many of the areas that the real life ‘Che’ travelled through, are the same ones used in the film. ‘On the road’ another Salles film adapted from the cult book by Jack Kerouac and currently in production, was also shot in the Lake District area just a couple of months ago. Filming is reported to have taken place near to the Chilean border and stars such as Kirsten Stewart, were able to enjoy the beautiful snowy landscape of the region and visit picturesque towns such as Villa La Angostura.

The forest that inspired Walt Disney´s Bambi

San Telmo Productions has filmed a webmercial for Pottery Barn in the beautiful mountains as well as scouted locations for two international documentaries (you probably knew that it was a hide out for Nazis) and has a network of local production people who know great characters and locations. Contact us for more information on how we can make Bariloche the next location for your commercial, film or documentary.

Southern Patagonia, Land of Ice and Fire, Your Next Film Location

by Amelia Batho, contributing blogger

Regarded by many as the final frontier of the New World islands, the archipelago Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) off the Southern most tip of Argentina is a mysterious land waiting to be discovered by film makers.

Far from inaccessible, the regions capital city Ushuaia is a transportation hive with an international airport that receives regular flights from Buenos Aires and Santiago, Chile and ferries and buses that are able to access all of the breath taking landscapes found in the region.

Another major plus to the city is that all shopping, whether imported or locally produced, is tax free! So it’s also a great place to stock up on any supplies.

As a full service production company with a network of local fixers, field producers and technicians throughout South America, San Telmo Productions can make sure you next shoot in Patagonia goes off without a hitch.

The city is located on one of the many islands found in the Beagle Channel, a strait separating the islands of the archipelago. The strait is named after the ship HMS Beagle which conducted its first survey on the area in the 19^th century. Aboard that ship, of course, was Charles Darwin who, when he  first caught a glimpse of the glaciers, wrote ‘many glaciers beryl blue most beautiful contrasted with snow’ a testament to the unique beauty of the region still seen today.

What else awaits the intrepid film maker? Islands inhabited solely by penguin colonies and remarkable glaciers. World Heritage Site Los Glaciers national Park can be found a bit further north in the province of Santa Cruz. The park hosts a blanket of ice which covers 600,000 hectares and feeds into 48 glaciers – the most famous one, Perito Moreno, is an impressive 30km long and 5km wide.

San Telmo is the most filmed Neighborhood in Buenos Aires

It should come as no surprise that the name sake of our production company, the neighborhood San Telmo, is the most popular location for film and commercial shoots in Buenos Aires. 2010 was a banner year for film shoots in the city and Buenos Aires province, with a significant increase from 2009. There were over 548 film permits granted in the city and 726 in the province.

35% of the film shoots were for the foreign market, the largest being the film “There be Dragons” directed by Roland Joffe that takes place in Civil War Spain. The Academy Award nominated director of The Mission and The Killing Fields chose to film this high budget epic film in San Telmo and in Lujan (Province of Buenos Aires) because of the high quality and lower costs of filming in Spain. For a quick behind the scenes look in English:

The city of Buenos Aires also commonly serves as a location double for New York (yellow taxis can be rented to make the transition complete), Paris, and the beautiful train stations serving for anywhere in Europe.

Ranking of locations in Buenos Aires

1  San Telmo (I´ve seen it double for just about every European capital you can imagine, including Krakow!)

2 Downtown (microcentro) Urban cannons in one end, French-style in the other, and the impressive Casa Rosada.

3 Recoleta (It can be Europe, the Upper East Side of Manhattan and its cemetery filled with tombs is a great set piece)

Ranking of Locations in the Province

1 Vincente Lopez (a posh suburb just minutes away from the city. Mansions galor!)

2 La Plata (a beautiful city featuring cobblestone streats and low buildings)

3 Atlantic Coast (Beach towns and coastal cities that easily double for US coastline)

In addition to a hundred year old film industry, award-winning technicians, film permits are about 30% of the cost in New York and Europe.

Train Stations in Buenos Aires: Your Next Film Location

Constitucion Train Station by Pedro Ignacio Errico

by Rob Sykes, Contributing Blooger

For the film producer looking for cheaper options for Victorian England, World War II France, or even Mumbai, the railway stations of Buenos Aires offer a huge opportunity! Filming under their grand arched ceilings or outside their exquisite entrances can transport movie goers back in time. This is in part what caused Variety Magazine to name Buenos Aires one of the best location doubles in the world.

The main stations of real interest are Retiro (which is actually three stations in one), and to the south of the city, Constitución. Both are grand buildings, both inside and out, in fact Retiro was declared a national monument of Argentina in 1997. The station interiors especially, offer wonderful shooting opportunities, allowing both Retiro and Constitución to ‘play’ a variety of other stations. Whilst Once station may also offer opportunities to those searching alternative, cheaper filming options, thanks to its Renaissance revival style architecture.

For obvious reasons, Retiro station was used, though playing itself, in the 90s blockbuster version of Evita starring Madonna. However it is perhaps only recently, that the industry is really beginning to take advantage of Buenos Aires’ train stations’ abilities to play other roles. For example this coming year the station at Constitución will be seen on screen masquerading as a Spanish train station in Roland Joffé´s Spanish Civil War epic There Will be Dragons.  Oscar winner for best foreign language film The Secret of Their Eyes filmed the emotional climax of the film in Retiro station (a still of which can be seen on many posters fro the film).

Retiro and Constitución stations were actually built by a team of British architects and engineers in the early twentieth century. This gives them there suitability to play British stations, think Victoria or Charing Cross in London. Although they were built around fifty years earlier, their broad front entrances and arched ceilings inside allow similarities to be drawn. Of course both Retiro and Constitución were built in a French-style, making them suitable also for stations in Paris and other French cities at the beginning of the twentieth century and beyond. Not to mention other British colonial outposts, the main hall at Constitución can easily double as Mumbai for example.

Film permits for the train stations are often granted but it is best to plan for weekend or night shooting, and to use a local production company who can talk to the various government and private entities who control the stations.

The Figure, the Films, the Fame: Argentina’s Sexploitation Star Isabel ‘Coca’ Sarli

by Adam Davis, contributing blogger

In one legendary scene from her 1968 “sexploitation” film Carne, Isabel Sarli’s character Delicia (the name itself dripping with campy sensuality) is raped in a meat locker by a man who wishes to experience “carne sobre carne” or “flesh on flesh.”  And while her flesh is certainly what Sarli is best known for – her nickname Coca a result of the full Coke-bottle figure she gained from, you guessed it, drinking lots of Coca-Cola – she is much more than a simple sex star in her native Argentina and throughout Latin America (and beloved by John Waters). Sarli is a cultural icon, a sex symbol for the ages, considered by many to be the South American Marilyn Monroe (with a notorious affair of her own, to boot).

Watch the famous clip from Carne below (don’t worry, you don’t need a word of Spanish to understand it).

Sarli began her career as a model, but soon after she rose to prominence as Miss Argentina in 1955, she was taken under the wings of film director Armando Bo. Sarli became Bo’s cinematic muse, starring in over 25 of his films, as well as his real life lover. Of course, Bo remained married to another woman throughout his infamous affair with Coca – but that didn’t stop him from mining Sarli’s natural sexuality for both his personal life and his films (which, strangely enough, often featured Bo’s son Victor as Sarli’s onscreen lover).

Together, Sarli and Bo created scenes and films that are still today considered among the most erotic in Argentine cinema history, including the aforementioned Carne and 1969’s Fuego. The work isn’t erotic in today’s XXX sense, although Sarli was the first woman to do full frontal nudity in Argentina and caused quite a stir among the censors during her time; compared to today’s cinematic offerings, in fact, the sex in Sarli’s films is nothing out of the ordinary. It is instead more sensual, more evocative. Even as Sarli writhes around naked onscreen, you get the sense that she’s merely teasing the viewer, inviting him to conjure up wishful scenarios that will never be.

Filmmaker John Waters, himself considered to be a master of camp, has cited Sarli’s films as one of his greatest inspirations. In the following  clip, Waters even notes that he likely unconsciously stole quite a bit from Sarli when creating his own characters.

And although Sarli has become a cinema legend, her films are largely known simply because they she starred in them. They are pure melodramatic camp, known for their obvious dialogue, exaggerated acting but also for showcasing the base desires (in Fiebre she falls in love with a horse!).

Although it has been quite a few decades since Sarli’s heyday, she has occasionally appeared in Argentine movies since then and remains a prominent cinematic icon. Even if you don’t enjoy her movies themselves, it is hard to deny the power of her lusting gazes, her heaving body, her suggestive voice. Her films have influenced directors ranging from Waters to Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar and her Coke-bottle figure remains firmly engrained in the minds of theater-goers nationwide as the benchmark for each new generation of cinematic sex symbols. She is an explosion of heat, a bombshell for the ages, and still one of the most revered women in all of Argentina – she is Isabel Sarli.

Famous Movies’ Little Secret: Made in Argentina

Set of US TV show "Estate of Panic" filmed in Argentina

by Adam Davis, contributing blogger

Argentina has proven to be a highly prized location for filmmakers and television producers in the past few years. Foreign audiences might not realize as they are flipping through the channels or sitting in movie theaters that their screens are filled with shots of small cobblestone streets in Buenos Aires or impressive mansions in the Argentine countryside – but there Argentina is, in all its glory.

Few would know that 2006’s Oscar-nominated Children of Men, set in the United Kingdom, actually has a few filming locations in Buenos Aires. And then there’s 2011 release There Be Dragons, a collaboration between American, Spanish, and Argentine production companies – a tale of the Spanish Civil War with filming locations in the Buenos Aires province.

What’s more, some of the most famous movie stars in the world have come to Argentina to shoot various projects. 1997’s Seven Years in Tibet stars Brad Pitt, arguably the most famous male actor on the planet, as well as the mountains of Mendoza standing in for Tibet. And the upcoming film version of Jack Kerouac’s famed On the Road, set to feature stars ranging from Kirsten Dunst and Kristen Stewart to Viggo Mortensen and Steve Buscemi, was shot in Bariloche standing in for the American West.  And the live action version of “Lucky Luke” was shot in Buenos Aires–in a dirt mine that looks just like the Grand Canyon if you shoot it right!

A Gaucho’s Tale: Vengeance and Virtue in Aballay, el hombre sin miedo

by Adam Davis, contributing blogger

Aballay, el hombre sin miedo, the latest film from director Fernando Spiner, is a classic Western with a modern look on revenge. Replete with stagecoaches, gunfights on horseback, and lingering shots of cacti-covered hills, the film is evocative of a long lost era in both the history of man and the history of cinema.  Aballay is not simply a gratuitous shoot ’em up, as one might stereotype the Western genre. Instead, it delves into the psychology of revenge and atonement to provide a deeper look into the violence and grit that the genre is known for. (And it also shows off Tucumán Province as the ideal Western location–Empanada Westerns, anyone?)

The movie begins when a group of rogue gauchos attack a stagecoach carrying a young boy and his father. They unceremoniously murder the father while the boy, Julián, looks on hiding from underneath a seat. When one of the gauchos, Aballay (Pablo Cedrón), discovers Julián hiding, he stares knowingly at the boy for a minute before something inside him compels him to leave young Julián alone.

“My First Wedding” (Mi Primera Boda) Review

by Amy Ramirez, contributing blogger

Unlike American romantic comedies, you’re not sure whether Ariel Winograd’s, Mi Primera Boda (My First Wedding) is a celebration of love or an unresolved display of the ugly reality when it breaks through romantic illusions. But that doesn’t really matter because, also unlike American Romantic comedies, “love” is on the back burner.

Mi Primer Boda grossed over $1,944,740 pesos argentinos (about  U$S 463,000) during its opening week, making it number three in the Argentinean box offices (After Final Destination, and The Smurfs). It is a must-see for anyone who wants to see a soon-to-be-classic Argentinean movie that is both hilarious and beautifully filmed.

Well-known starlet Natalia Oreiro, along with Daniel Hendler, deliver spectacular performances that prove both actors are ready to take on comedic roles. After her emerging performance as a comedic actress in 2010’s Miss Tacuarembó, and now with Mi Primera Boda, Uruguayan Oreiro proves she can be a brilliantly versatile performer. This film is also Hendler’s second comedy after his darker movie days starring in Daniel Burman films.

The movie takes place on the wedding day of Jewish-born, not religious, Adrián Hershell and Catholic-born, not that religious, Leonora Bellami. Aided by his lovable sidekick (Martín Piroyansky), the groom spends the entire movie trying to postpone the wedding ceremony. Not because he doesn’t want to get married (wink*), but because he clumsily looses one (later both) of the sacred wedding rings.

Disaster ensues, chaos reigns.

An action-packed 90-minutes unveils religious and personality tensions between families, theological musings of a wandering priest and rabbi, a sex/drugs/rock-n-roll senile grandparent, and the hidden motives of ex-lovers. Every character has his/her moment of glory.

Review: “Juan y Eva” an intimate movie about Evita

A new film about Evita focuses on her relationship with Peron.

by Amy Ramirez, contributing blogger

Juan y Eva is a re-telling of the love story between Argentina’s most famous politicians, President Juan Domingo Perón and Eva “Evita” Duarte. The film takes place after the earthquake on January 1944 in San Juan which leads Colonel Juan Perón to meet radio actress Eva Duarte at a relief effort to help the victims. As they say, the rest is history.

President of Argentina Cristina Fernández de Kirchner highly recommended the movie during a speech. She asked the audience if she and her husband (ex-President Nestor Kirchner, who died tragically last year) would ever be the subject of a movie like this.

Director Paula de Luque’s (El Vestido, 2009) rendition of the courtship and eventual marriage of Juan and Eva Perón stays away from the political underpinnings of a better-known story and focuses on the couple’s romantic relationship. It stars renowned theater actor Osmar Núñez and TV/film star Julieta Díaz (who dyed her black locks blond for the part).

For from the idolized (or demonized) portraits of these political leaders that the Argentine public is used to, there is a deliberate focus placed on both the imperfection and the beauty of the human condition. We see Eva’s jealous fits of rage, and Juan being condescending to one of Eva’s friends and losing his temper with his inferiors.

Review: “Vaquero” a Post-Modern Western

by Amy Ramirez, contributing blogger

Vaquero (cowboy):  A masculine archetype that probably exists in every culture that has ever been exposed to John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, or has known firsthand the creeping solitude and imminent danger of navigating through a vast blob of “no man” land on an icy desert night. Well, Juan Minujin’s “Vaquero” is nothing like that. The John Wayne and Clint Eastwood heroes are exchanged for a passive-aggressive Porteño (Buenos Aires) actor that spends an hour and half contemplating the icy dessert of his innermost thoughts.  Sounds like a fun flick? Surprise, surprise, it is actually very entertaining, keeping you on the edge of your seat!

Check out the trailer, with English subtitles:

Told entirely through the perspective of the protagonist, the entire film is a slightly discomforting yet intensely alluring narration of his sporadic thoughts being constantly interrupted by the characters that surround our fallen hero. Despite your inevitable disdain for Julian Lamar (Minujin) you can’t help but empathize with him.

Lamar, the 33 year old actor, is desperately looking to advance his career in show business. He seeks to get his foot in a world he does not feel a part of, so he finagles his way into an audition for a western by a famous Hollywood director. Plot is a big part of this story, so I don’t want to reveal much because it’s worth the anticipation.  The clear, fast-paced story line picks up in the middle of something and ends in the middle of something else, making the 87 minute film feels like a quick excerpt.

“Vaquero” is Juan Minujin’s directorial debut. Mainly a theatre actor, he has had the lead roles in Victor Gonzalez’s “El Cielo Elegido,” and Anahi Bernini’s “Un Año Sin Amor.”  Director of photography, Lucio Bonelli, close-ups and purpose-oriented shaky cam do a great job at capturing Julian’s anxiousness and awkward intensity.

We hope to see more films by Minujin, both as an actor and a director.

http://www.vaquerolapelicula.com.ar/

This week: The 26th annual Mar del Plata Film Festival

by Amy Ramirez, contributing blogger

Willem Dafoe, 600 events, 230 movies, oh my! The Mar del Plata International Film Festival began its 26^th edition on the 5^th of this month and will continue until the 13^th.

Subsidized by INCAA (National Institute of Film and Audiovisual Arts), this year’s festival will feature a number of special guests such as Willem Dafoe (Antichrist, Off Limits, The Last Temptation of Christ), Joe Dante (creator of the Gremlins), and the British director, Alex Cox (Repo Man). They will all be participating in the film’s scheduled lectures. Mar de Plata is the only A-list film

Mar del Plata--yes, those tiny dots are people, and yes, it gets crowded in January!

festival (Cannes, Berlin) in South America, meaning that all showings have to be world premieres.

The line-up of movies competing for the international contest might be worth checking out. Included in these are: native Milagros Mumenthaler’s “Abrir Puertas y Ventanas” about the bereavement which circles around the relationship between 3 women, Alexander Sokurov’s rendition of the German expressionism classic “Faust,” and the documentary “Vivan las antípodas!” by Víctor Kossakovsky that contrasts the antipodes of Entre Rios in Argentina with Shanghai.

Mar del Plata, the most popular resort town for Argentines will provide an interesting week and it’s best to go now in November before the summer crowd sets it. It is about four hours by car or bus south of Buenos Aires.

For more information you can visit their website at http://www.mardelplatafilmfest.com/26/en/

Or follow it on twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/26MDQFEST

Gaucho Western “Aballay” to be Argentina’s nomination for Oscar

by Amy Ramirez, contributting blogger

The gaucho-centered western Aballay, El Hombre sin Miedo (The Man without Fear), directed by Fernando Spiner was recently announced as Argentina’s selection for the Oscar nomination in the best foreign-language film category.  We must ask, will empanada-westerns be the new spaghetti western?

The movie is a deeply reflective yet gritty tale about a young man who wants to avenge his father’s death at the hands of an aging gaucho that turns away from evil-doing and seeks to amend his criminal past (for a more thorough review of the film on Filming in Argentina click here).